2012 review: The Cardinals’ defense registered six shutouts and allowed double digits in only three contests all season. Their two losses came by a combined nine points.

2013 overview: Millington returns seven defensive starters and eight offensive starters from a team that advanced to the district championship last year. “We really feel like the key to our success is our defense,” Millington coach Roger Bearss said. “We’re returning quite a few kids that have been a real good group.” Quarterback is the only big question mark for the Cardinals who have a strong offense line and return several skilled position players from last year. Over the last four years, Millington has crossed the 400-point barrier on offense each season and averaged 10 wins, while advancing to the state semifinals twice.

2012 review: The Eagles rolled to their first undefeated regular season since 1997 and into the district championship.

2013 overview: Frankenmuth cruised to an undefeated regular season last year, but the Eagles head into a bit of a rebuild in 2013 under new coach Phil Martin. They need to make up for the loss of 17 seniors, including 12 who received all-conference honors. “We lost quite a few kids with game experience,” Martin said. “Guys need to step up and fill those roles as juniors.” Brian Stearns and Jake Reinbold take over as the bell-cow backs as the Eagles look to fend off challengers for the TVC East crown.

2012 review: A win over Caro gave Bridgeport its first win since 2008, but the Bearcats struggled on both sides of the ball against the rest of the conference.

2013 overview: Thirty players have come out for the team under new coach Anwar Jackson, but only nine with extensive experience. Bridgeport returns skilled position players from its best offense and defense in five years, despite being outscored by 200 points. “The biggest thing we’re looking for is for guys to compete and finish,” Jackson said. The Bearcats will have three freshman starters on defense, including 6-foot-3, 340-pound and 6-foot-0, 285-pound defensive tackles up the middle.

2012 review: Injuries plagued Birch Run last year, but they also gave younger players experience.

2013 overview: The Panthers return a lot of experience from last year with underclassmen who were pressed into action. They have 15 returning starters. “We have to have some bounces go our way,” Birch Run coach Chris Gilliam said. “Nobody has a good year without lucky breaks here and there, or avoiding unlucky breaks. We’re just going to play hard and control what we can.” The Panthers hope to make a push at conference leaders Millington, Essexville Garber and Frankenmuth. They just need Andrew Helm or Austin Clark to take the reins of the offense and lead the team back to the playoffs.

2012 Recap: It was a season of revival as the Dukes won the final two games to clinch a return trip to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. A 30-20 playoff loss to Goodrich ended the season, but not before the Dukes scored the most points in program history at 324.

2013 Overview: Excitement and optimism is overwhelming for this fall in Garber Country, with talent and potential all over the field. After getting back on the plus side a year ago, the Dukes have ideas of contending for the Tri-Valley East crown and beyond. “We want to make this a championship season, one way or another,” Coquillard said. “Everybody has that dream of playing in Ford Field, and our motto is ‘Why not us?’ We could be a tough team to deal with and we could be in that mix.” Bay City Times Defensive Player of the Year and Central Michigan University recruit Alex Neering and four-year varsity standout Joe Foret give the defense a tough-nosed look. The offense could be spectacular with sophomore Logan Martin taking over the veer attack at quarterback and speedsters Simeon Berry, Sean Reilly, C.J. Glaza and 1,000-yard rusher Noah Bargouthy giving him plenty of options. “We have guys with skill and speed – and not just one or two, but five or six – who can take it the distance on any play. We’re thrilled about that as a team.”

2012 Recap: The Tigers struggled through a trying season, not only going winless but getting shut out five times and scoring its fewest points in 60 years.

2013 Overview: Look for drastic changes on both sides of the ball for Caro as it tries to bounce back from an 0-9 campaign. First-year coach Todd Topham takes the helm from Kraig Houthoofd after serving in the program as an assistant for five years. “The kids have been very supportive,” Topham said. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked. We’ve talked a lot about keeping the tempo up in practice and they’ve responded well to that.” Numbers are up with 29 on varsity and 53 in the program, giving the Tigers a good starting point for growth. Caro is shifting to the Wing-T attack on offense and is banking on returning back Chad Bennett to front the running game. The 4-3 defensive scheme is now in place, with returning lineman Mike Gonzales leading the charge along with a trio of sophomore linebackers. All told, the Tigers hope to quickly put the 2012 in the rear view mirror. “We’re going to use it as a learning experience, but move on,” Topham said. “We’re keeping everything positive and the kids have gotten involved in that, to their credit.”